Debbie Cousins's Journal, 29 Oct 23

So sorry to hear this. Hopefully it will stop or you may need medical attention. That is a lot of nasal bleeding. Is your B.P. okay? Maybe you need a humidifier if it is dry in your house. No more diet coke. You do not need caffeine right now. How about some soothing herbal decaffeinated tea. Like Chamomile.  

Debbie, please get thyself to urgent care. With the dizziness, that does not sound right  

I would seek medical attention, this should be looked at. Keep us posted 

🙏💜🙏 

Debbie get to the doctor. That is not normal. I had nosebleeds often as a child. I was anemic. What you are describing with the blood clots sounds like something deep in the nose. Maybe a polyp. Do you take blood thinner medication? It can also be a symptom of something more serious. Please go, go, go and go today or tomorrow. Don’t delay. Better safe than sorry always 

I go to a hematologist every 6 months to get my iron checked. For the past 3-4 years, it has been fine. Before that, my feritan (sp) levels were very low and I had to have iron infusions. Just went last week, and I am anemic again. Have to have infusions on 11/2 and 11/10. I’m wondering if the nosebleed might be a result of taking 800mg of Ibuprofen every 8 hours for the past two months, (as prescribed by my surgeon, for pain). Just looked it up online and it CAN cause nosebleeds. It also said to not take any for 36-48 hours after a nosebleed. So, I didn’t take any at noon, as was scheduled. Thankfully, my knee pain level has only been a #2 today, which is the best day I’ve had since 7/27 surgery. So, it’s a good time to pull back on the Advil. Thank you all for your kind comments. 

Oh my! Something seems off to bleed so much. Normally, nose bleeds end after 20-30 minutes. Like others have said here, it might be worth a Drs visit. Prayers, Debbie. 

Debbie holy cow now i have to insist!!!! Insist that you replace all that non-beneficial Pepsi with water. That is an awful lot of ibuprofren for your kidneys to filter. You must drink loads of water to help your kidneys out. Im very serious. Talk to your surgeon. I don’t think you are supposed to be taking that much for the rest of your life. Why is your knee still having so much pain? You are 3 months out by now it should feel really good. Call your surgeon ok. I worry about you. 

Please be careful. When I was taking ibuprofen, it gave me an extra heartbeat. I can only take Tylenol now. 

I was once prescribed NSAID (aleve) 440mg twice per day, for 3 weeks, which is double the recommended dose on the bottle. I was monitored weekly by the doctor with labs, where they took blood tests to make sure I wasn't damaging my liver or kidneys. I was told that the blood monitoring was necessary if taking NSAID (which ibuprofen is) for a long period of time and/or at a high dose.  

Hi, Debbie, I'm glad you have doctors to speak with about this. There are so many things to co-ordinate when taking meds. Best wishes for getting better daily. Thanks for continuing to run the accountability challenge. It is one of the best supports I have found here. 

Pain level was only a #3 all day today and just a #4 all day yesterday. On everyone’s suggestion, I skipped my noon Ibuprofen and my 8pm dose. Just woke up at 11pm and pain is up to level #6, so I went ahead and took an Ibuprofen. I have been getting in three to four 16-oz bottles of water a day lately (but I’m still drinking more ounces of Diet Coke than H2O). According to the dosing schedule, I should be taking another Advil at 7am. Instead of just taking it because “it’s time,” I’ll evaluate the pain level and see if it is really necessary. Go for iron infusion on Thursday and I’ll ask about the nosebleeds. They seem to be gone for now. Just blew my nose, without thinking, and it didn’t start bleeding again. Going to put my #6 pain level knee back to bed now. Thank you, everyone, for your concern and advice. I really am weighing it all and I’m praying the Lord would help me do what is best for my body. 

Debbie you also need to talk to your surgeon about WHY you are experiencing so much pain 3 months later also. Anemia may very well be the cause of the nosebleed but still may want to get that checked out. Especially if it happens again. Just want the best for you friend. 

Prayers for your health situation, as well as wisdom to know how to proceed with meds, exercise…..and the diet cokes. I don’t want to beat you up about this. Not one bit…..but I’m glad you’re drinking water too. How about being held accountable to a reliable friend to keep a limit on the soda consumption? Set a limit and have somebody hold you to it. In time, hopefully decrease the numbers over time…..just a thought. Hugs! 

Lastisbest, your message is very timely. Thank you! Yesterday I had ZERO water (after drinking 3-6 bottles a day for at least the past month). I also stopped counting at EIGHT cans of Diet Coke - my guess is that I had 10 or 11. I will make a concerted effort to do better today. One note, though - I didn’t go to bed until 8:30 last night, and I didn’t have to get up to pee until just now (3:30am). That’s SEVEN hours! I can’t even remember when the Las time was that I have been able to sleep that long. When I am drinking water (even stopping at 3pm before I go to bed at 5), I get up at least every 2-3 hours to pee - sometimes it’s every 1-1/2 hours. And I had the BEST dream just before I woke up!!! Today, I will only put six Diet Cokes in the fridge (I usually put a whole 12-pack), and will try to drink at least 5 bottles of water b4 3pm. That will be 80 oz water and only 72 oz of DC. Wish me luck! 

Debbie, have you ever considered the diet coke makes you pee, too.